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Pack your backpack for a trip to the mountains. The Birch cabin is a one bath studio vacation rental cabin that sleeps 4 in southwestern Colorado. Sitting on the side of a mountain just 500 feet from the shores of Lake Vallecito, this cabin is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. During the summer enjoy, boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, relaxing and exploring. In the fall, come and experience the spectacular fall colors.

THE PROPERTY

The Birch cabin is a quaint, single story, 340 square foot cabin built in 1957 and updated in 2016. This open floor plan vacation rental has 1 queen bed and 1 double bed. It includes a private bath with shower, a kitchenette with a refrigerator and small freezer, a microwave, a drip coffee maker, a portable, electric, countertop oven with a 2 burner stove. cookware, dishes, and utensils.

While staying at this cabin, you'll be welcomed home with swaying pine trees and the occasional local chipmunk or songbird, stopping by to say hello. After a busy day on the lake or the hiking trail, this cabin serves as the perfect place to take a hot shower, unwind and plan your next day’s adventure.

Retreat inside and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Prepare a simple dinner in the kitchenette while loved ones cast their line one more time down by the lake in search of fish known to be in our lake--Kokanee salmon, rainbow and brown trout, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, or yellow perch.

End the day with card games or storytelling. Watch a movie on the flat screen TV with DVD player or read a good book. Can’t get enough of the outdoors? Amaze yourself by the clarity of the stars that seem to go on forever before calling it a night.

Kids or friends can doze off in the double bed, while you sink into the queen-sized bed in the adjacent room with a partial room divider.

Refuel with a laid back breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of the local restaurants a short walk or drive away. Pick up your groceries as you pass through Durango or Pagasa Springs if you plan on cooking in. For last minute items, check out the Vallecito Country Market or the Rocky Mountain General Store. For something special, the Country Market offers a variety of homemade fudge and the General Store makes their own Elk jerky and sausage.

THE LOCATION

History abounds in Vallecito which was once the hunting and gathering grounds for the Southern Ute Indians before the reservoir was built in 1941. Activities on Lake Vallecito and in the San Juan National Forest are varied depending on the season and your desire for adventure.

Take a scenic, 25-mile drive around the lake or drive up Middle Mountain to witness breathtaking vistas. Bring your fishing pole and your boat and launch in the Vallecito Marina which is a half a mile walk or drive away. Rent one of our kayaks or canoes or rent a skiff or pontoon boat at the marina. For a change of scenery, hike the Vallecito Creek Trail or tour downtown Durango. Another popular tourist attraction is relaxing in the historic hot springs in Pagosa Springs.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

-- this cabin is one of 3 cabins (Aspen, Birch and Cedar) that sit on flat ground that slopes down to the Lake Vallecito shoreline with a view across the lake of the San Juan Mountains.

-guests can walk but cannot drive down to the lakeshore.

-the cabin is marked with a small gray sign labeled ‘Birch’ at the front left side of the cabin.

- cell phone service and GPS devices don’t always work near this cabin. Therefore, it is recommended that guests print out directions to get to the cabin before leaving home.

-the owner of the cabin lives offsite; text the owner with any questions before, during or after your stay

- this cabin operates on a septic system. There is no garbage disposal. Please do not pour baking grease or clorox down the sink. Grease pockets are provided in the cabinet for guests to discard used, baking grease after it is cooled.

- Bears, raccoons, chipmunks and other wildlife are prevalent in the area. Do not feed wildlife. Do not leave food outdoors or in unlocked cars.

-this cabin is not suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.

- There is room to park one vehicle behind the Birch cabin. Please do not block the drives or roads around the Birch cabin as they are a used by others.

-If you have any special vehicle parking needs, please discuss with the owner in advance and we'll try to accommodate your needs.

HOUSE RULES

- No smoking

- No pets allowed either of guests or their guests

- No events, parties or large gatherings

- This cabin can comfortably sleep 4 guests in 2 beds.

- Photo ID may be required upon check-in

Check-Out Instructions:

- Check out is before 11:00 AM

- Prior to your departure, please tidy up the cabin and remove your trash in the dumpster on the drive out.

Nearby:

-Pura Vida is a popular local cafe that is open May-Oct that sits just in front of the Vallecito Marina - ½ a mile away.

Bedrooms

1 Bedroom

Sleeps 4

Property Manager

Trina Wacasey

Member Since 2017

Speaks

english

Calendar last updated:

5 Dec 2018

About Trina Wacasey

Originally from Houston, Texas, I purchased this property in the fall of 2015 with partners. We remodeled 7 cabins on the one acre lake front property and opened the Views of Vallecito cabin rental business the summer of 2016. We love the cool dry air, the lake, the mountains, and the friendly people in this beautiful part of southwestern Colorado.

Trina Wacasey purchased this Cabin in 2015

Why Trina Wacasey chose Bayfield

Anytime I looked for a place to vacation, I always searched for a lake or a creek or a river along with mountains and trees and cool, crisp weather to escape the heat and humidity of Houston. During a year long sabbatical traveling the US in my RV, my brother introduced me to this part of Colorado. During that exploratory trip, we discovered this lake front property that included a house and 7 cabins for sale. We bought it and remodeled the cabins--bringing the cabins back to life so that we could share them with others who seek a similar kind of low key, vacation experience.

What makes this Cabin unique

Our property is on the side of a mountain that slopes down to the lake. Guests have views and walkable access down to the lake. Explore Vallecito or nearby Pagosa Springs, Durango or Silverton.

Facilities

Children Welcome

Internet

Parking

Bathrooms

1 Bathroom

General

Parking

Wireless Internet

House Rules

Check-in: 16:00

Check-out: 11:00

Cancellation Policy

100% refund for cancellations more than 14 days before check-in date. 50% refund for cancellations more than 7 days before check-in date.

9 Reviews

Very Good4/5

1 - 6 of 9

Great cabin!

5/5

Stayed Aug 2018

Lori J.

We enjoyed the Birch cabin! It was perfect for our short trip to Colorado. Would recommend it to anyone. Trina and her brother were extremely accommodating.

Submitted 8 Sep 2018

Quiet location close to lake

4/5

Stayed Aug 2018

Debbie C.

Very clean and spacious cabin. We found it very comfortable and enjoy our stay. Missed having WIFI.

Submitted 9 Aug 2018

Stayed four nights at one of small cabins at Lake Vallecito

4/5

Stayed Jul 2018

Paula S.

We loved our little cabin..had everything you need and was decorated really cute. Had to walk down a pretty long and steep ways to the lake. Beautiful area though and plenty of restaurants to eat at nearby. The co-owner was very friendly and helpful. No table or chairs outside to sit but beautiful deck by the lake that owner built. Had great time!

Submitted 28 Jul 2018

Great place to stay.

5/5

Stayed Jul 2018

Cordy C.

Residential traffic was a bit much to nap.

Submitted 24 Jul 2018

Fair stay

3/5

Stayed Jul 2018

charity h.

We stayed July 4-6th. Trina was awesome about quick responses to our requests and needs prior to us arriving. We were a little surpirised as the area where the 3 cabins are situated on belong on 1 lot and very close to each other and many many other cabins. The Birch we stayed at is right on the gravel road where everyone down in this area drive by so woke us up early. Unfortuantely there is no where to sit outside the cabin, but we brought chairs to set up in the front of the cabin. The cabin is simple. I would recommend to get this cabin if you only need some place to rest your head at night, as the price is right. The 2 beds were very comfortable and the bathroom/shower small but worked for us. There is only a microwave and hot plate with some cook wear. There is no table to eat at, so you will need to eat one the couple chairs inside. The only real bad thing is we were there when it was over 90 degree the whole time and this cabin doesnt have air conditioner so it made our nights quite uncomfortable.We did bring a fan and Trina later told us you can request fans too. Also there is a TV without cable and there is no Wifi and there is barely any Wifi around the whole reservoir. There is a deck they buildt down by the water to use, but to get to the you need to walk around the right side of the lot down a VERY steep driveway. It was kinda confusing as it looks like you are going to another cabin and a sign says private property but it is down there. I had my parents with me who are in their mid 60's and they could not walk down there due to how steep it was. But again for the price and simplicity it is a good stay if you want to do some water activities on the resevior.

Submitted 15 Jul 2018

Perfect retreat

4/5

Stayed Jun 2018

Rebekah S.

I neede a place to rest and recharge and this was it. The only thing that would have made it better would be a picnic table or outside seating. Otherwise everything was great.

Submitted 6 Jun 2018

Owner's Response:

Thank you Rebekah for staying with us in the Birch cabin. Thank you for the feedback on a picnic table or outside seating. Our thoughts are that guests prefer to hang out as close to the lake as possible so we built a deck and added seating on the lake shore. In the past, I've offered two camp chairs for each cabin as well. Based on your feedback, I'll add those back in the cabins so guests have the option to use those where ever they like on the property. Please come back and stay again when you have the chance.